Stats after visit to doc

Took the kids to the doc this evening, to see whether they should get the flu vaccine before we travel. Doc said "not necessary". And doc did a thorough check on the two kids.

Rachel's stats....at 3 years 11 months old:

Height : 101 cm
Weight : 15.8kg

(her growth is at the 50% percentile, average....)

Kenneth's stats....at 6 months 2 weeks old:

Length : 73 cm
Weight : 9.59 kg

(his growth is at the highest percentile)
Doc did mention that he is NOT overweight, as his length is at the highest percentile. So, he is tall, that's all:) *phew*.....

Kenneth cried loads during the checkup. His stranger anxiety is at its peak now. Also, doc asked about his mobility. She checked his gums, and it seems that his teeth is on the verge of popping out... maybe that explains his crankiness these days?????!!!!

Kenneth is mobile...sort of

Hubby's prediction on lil Kenneth's development is slightly off. He predicted that Kenneth will be able to sit up on his own next month. A few days short of August, Kenneth can now sit up on his own, from tummy position.

And he can creep...

And he can roll...

So yes, he is quite mobile now. We must consider buying a playpen for him. Otherwise, I will not be able to do anything else!!!!

And it's time to lower his cot. He can now sit up, and then pull himself up to a kneeling position. Another few weeks, he will be able to pull himself up to standing position....

A splashing good time

She had a really good time splashing around in the pool. So so cold. Hubby took Rachel swimming at a friend's place. This time next week, we should be in our new place, which comes with a pool!!!!! The water was really cold, although it was 50 deg celcius then!!!!

Today, when we passed by and showed Rachel the place we are going to move to. Rachel told us "Daddy, if no swimming pool, I don't want to move there".....

Activities on a Thursday

It was a holiday today. However, hubby had to work till 1pm, at home. So, right after, he packed us up, and we drove to the 6th ring road. There's a new mall called 360. Only 50% of the shops are opened, but it was a nice place to hang out.

The kids in the car:

Rachel cat-napping before we reach the mall....

Kenneth smiling like daddy....a lazy and crooked one

It's really hot today, touching 50 deg celcius. We were jumping from the car to the mall, or car back to the apartment.... Just less than a minute outside, and Rachel and Kenneth looked roasted!!!!

In the evening, we drove to McDonalds on the Arabian Gulf Street. The restaurant was by the beach, and although it was like 46-47 deg celcius in the evening, you can see hordes of people on the beach!!!! We stayed outside just long enough for me to snap this picture of Rachel. I think if I were to buy a sundae from McDonalds, it would have lasted less than a minute before it melts outside with this heat.

rachel by the beach....with Salmiya skyline....

It was dark when we finished, and I really liked the city's skyline with all its lights!!!!!

taken by the beach....with Kuwait City skyline

Getting ready for emergencies

Two nights ago, there was a little fire in our building. I was not aware of it until the caretaker told me about it the morning after. It happened at the bottom of one of the emergency stairways, where they stored a few mattresses. (the building has 2 emergency stairways). Our guess is, some fella from the top floor was smoking, and he dropped a cigarette butt down. Thank goodness the caretaker woke up and managed to put out the fire. And thank goodness we will be moving out of this building in another 10 days time!!!!!

Anyway, the fire got me thinking. What if there's an emergency (touch wood, touch wood). So, talked to hubby, and the plan is, he will grab Rachel and our important documents. (See how important it is to put them in one bag so that we can just grab it on our way out) And for me, my responsibility will be Kenneth. So yes. We have that settled.

And then, I started thinking. What if there's an emergency (touch wood touch wood touch wood) when hubby's not around? So, I will have to grab Rachel and Kenneth....and maybe the bag of documents on my way out. Will I be able to cope???? I have to really build up my stamina and my strength...

About Kenneth

I am only bringing him to the doc next week, so took him to Mothercare in Avenues to weigh him instead:) He is now 9.55kg. He is not putting on as much as he used to. But I guess it's normal, as he is already half year old!!!!

These days, he is really whiny. He sticks to me like a glue. Even when he is sitting down, he wants me nearby. Even daddy can't settle him these days.

He loves to disturb his sister....always climbing all over her, pulling her hair, licking her knee.... it's all very very brotherly:)

And he is learning how to creep and crawl. He can (with much effort) creep from one end of the mattress to the other, without rolling. But with a lot of uuummmppph sounds and frustration.... When pulling himself up to stand, he is halfway there. He can pull till he is kneeling, then he will be crying out for me to pull him up all the way. It's all very very tiring for me. He just wants to stand. And so far, he can support himself quite well. But I still have to be there, as he has no sense of danger at all!!!!!



Unlike before, I can't feed him in front of the TV, or even in a noisy room anymore. He gets distracted, and he rather not eat...Instead, he will fuss.

This boy is really active. I see what people meant when they say how different a boy is compared to a girl. I am so so tired.....

He loves making all these razz sounds in his throat, and he loves to blow bubbles. And he loves doing this when feeding on my breast, or while he is taking his solids!!!!! And of course, he loves tearing paper, and also throwing things off his highchair.....It's all very tiring....

Weekend has started!!!!!

Weekend has started.....and the kids are spending quality time with daddy.....and I am sure he is tired already.....

Daddy pretending to sleep does not stop the kids from bugging daddy....

Rachel and Kenneth

Rachel can spell her name!!!!

She may not know how to write out all the alphabets, but she can spell and write out her name. Next stop, her surname!!!!!

Walker? Pacifier?

During Rachel's time, we followed everything by the book. No pacifier, no walker..... In fact, during Rachel's time, we were in UK, and the doctors there frown upon walkers. And you can't really get one easily there. Moreover, the little one bedroom flat we were living in was as big as our current living hall. So, there was no real need for a walker.

Now, during Kenneth's time, the house is bigger, and I not only have one kid to take care, I have two, with no help!!!!!!! So, the question of whether I should use a walker for Kenneth did pop up in my mind. In fact, my mom suggested it as well. So, I asked hubby. And his answer was... "For what..." hahahaha....he is not taking care of the kids 24-7. That explains his answer. But eventually, I guess it's up to me:)

But I sort of made up my mind not to use the walker. 3 reasons:

1) It's another additional cost to get a walker (yes, that's my very first reason)
2) According to the books, if we want to use a walker, we should limit the usage to only 20minutes each time, and not more than 2x a day!!! 20 mins is not very long..... so....is it worth it?
3) Reason why the doctors in UK say no to the walker is coz of the potential accidents that can happen, and also the hindrance on the kid's development....

So, no no to a walker....

And as for pacifier, I guess now that he is already 6 months old, it will be a wee bit too late to start him on one? And also, if he really needs one, I am 24-7 at his side. So, he has got me.... yes, my vow to not let Kenneth use my *boops* as a pacifier has failed.... sadly.... miserably.... That's why, I need to be by his side 24-7.... And also, it does not cost anything..... *grin grin*

Life will definitely be easier for me with a walker and pacifier....but heck....I have already resorted to the TV as a babysitter....

Kenneth is 6 months old

....tomorrow!!!!!


Boy...he's turning 6 months already.... He has not started crawling yet, but we can see that he wants to so badly. He can stretch out to reach for something and then pull back to his sitting position. And sometimes, I see him bounce in his sitting position, moving towards whatever he wants..... A part of me can't wait to see him crawl. But I know that when he does, I will miss the times that I do not have to run after him!!!!! At the moment, he gets to places by rolling on the floor!!!! And he seems to be able to reach wherever he wants to go just by rolling!!!!


He now tries very hard to pull himself up, when sitting in his cot, or even in his bathtub. So, once he can sit up from a lying position on his own, we will have to lower his cot!!!! Hubby predicts that will be sometime next month!!!! hahaahaha....it's all prediction and guesses, based on his current development.

He is still latching fully on me for his milk supply, and he is taking 2 solid meals a day. I have already started him on some lumps in his food. And I am giving him more plain water. With this current weather and heat, I have no choice but to give him more water. He drinks well with a normal cup. Nevertheless, I got him a Dr Brown Trainer Cup, and he sips fine from it:) At least with the trainer cup, it's not so messy, especially when we are out!!!!!

*Oh yes....with the heat, we feel like we are in an oven everytime we step out of the apartment or car. Kenneth's face turns really red and rosy even after a mere 2 minutes outside!!!!! Will have to take a pic of that:)

This boy is getting smarter as well. He knows what he wants, and how to get it.....by whining and fake-crying. Also, changing his clothes and nappy proves to be a back-breaking chore for me, as he keeps on turning and squirming. Also, he does not like to poo in his nappies. So, he will normally wait till I put him on his potty before he can do his big ones.

These days, we have reduced his sessions with his neckfloat in the bathtub. As it is quite a back-breaking activity for hubby (who is responsible watching him during this activity). This boy splashes and twist and turn so much until he drinks and chokes from the bathwater. Nevertheless, this does not stop him from splashing till his daddy is all wet.

Also, Kenneth has developed stranger anxiety. He cries and wants to be carried when he sees a stranger.

Kenneth .....

* turns when we call his name
* has started babbling with a lot of funny sounds
* feeds himself with his biscuits....
* work to get something out of reach....by rolling or stretching out...or when he really can't get it, he wails out loud!!!!
* bullies his daddy....to carry him all the time!!!! He only does it to daddy....

As for his physical statistics, we have not weighed him as his immunisation was done in a govt clinic. There's a special room just for immunisation. You go in, show them the kid's civil ID (something like myKid in M'sia), get the jab, and get out of there. As simple as that. No development monitoring. Will have to take him to a private doctor for that.....

Having some fun!!!!

Kenneth : Hey there, wanna see me do something fun? Can you see that luscious hair on my sis?

Kenneth : Ready....get set......

Kenneth : GO!!!!!!

Kenneth : See!!!! I made my sister squeal!!!!!

Kuwait houses

Some of the houses that we see here are pretty grand.... and unique....

Rachel and Kenneth

Since he started rolling, I can't leave him on the mattress for too long, as he will definitely roll off the mattress, heading towards his sister's corner....I am not too sure whether he knows where he is rolling towards, or how to roll towards where he wants to go.....
his latest interest is with her toy car...
His jie-jie loves him enough to let him have a few rounds on it.
We do plan to get him his own.....soon....after we move to our new place!!!!



These days, Kenneth does not nap much, unless I nap with him. And obviously, Rachel loathes being alone...so, my workaround is to get Kenneth to nap in the hall, where Rachel can do her own stuffs, and also nap when she feels like it. The hall does not look like a proper hall.... Note that when you have kids, whatever showcase house you have.....it will not last....

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After my previous post on Rachel calling herself Paula....

Mummy : RACHEL!!!!!! Come here
Rachel : Mummy, I am Paula...not Rachel
Mummy : Fine. then you will stay here with Daddy when I go and visit May Yee in London
Rachel : WHYYYYY????
Mummy : Coz your passport says Rachel, not Paula. You can't use that passport coz your name is not Rachel.
Rachel : *pause awhile*...hmmm...mummy, then I turn back into Rachel lahhhhh....

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Rachel is into accessories these days....for her hair....rings, bracelet...watches... everything decorative.

Wearing the necklace her grandma gave her....ALL THE TIME!!!! And with her hair all dolled up...

She wanted me to doll up her hair like Phoebe's (from Friends)

Even at home, she is all dressed up....here, she's eating what I puree for Kenneth as well. What's on today's menu: French Beans + Pear with a dash of cinnamon...

Well, Kenneth is not interested in any accessories....as yet....I wanted to put on a cap for him when we went out over the weekend. The only one we have is this hand-me-down from Rachel.
Note to myself: to buy him a more boyish cap soon!!!!!!

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Kenneth will be turning 6 months in a few days time. This morning, we took him to the local clinic here for his immunisation. They gave him 2 jabs, and an oral vaccination. If we were back in M'sia, it would have cost me at least RM500. Here, it's FOC at the govt clinics. Immunisation is done in the government clinics....

My name is Paula

She has this thing going on with the name Paula....

When we met one of our neighbours in the lift...

Neighbour : Hello....what's your name?
Rachel : My name is Paula..
Mummy : Huh? Your name is Rachel.... (and to the neighbour I said...) Hi, her name is Rachel..
Rachel : No, Mummy...My name is Paula...PAAAAUUUUU LAAAAAA

Then, when we were reading a book on occupations..

Mummy : So, Rachel, what do you want to be when you grow up?
Rachel : I want to be a doctor
Mummy : So, I call you Doctor Rachel.
Rachel : NOOOOOO....I am Doctor PAUUUUUU LAAAAAA.....

a week short of 6 months development

as of yesterday, lil kenneth can roll not only from his back to tummy. he can roll over from tummy to back as well. we bought him a foldable mattress for the hall, and put him sitting on it. from a sitting position, he can get himself onto his tummy, and then he started rolling....I put him on one end of the mattress, and after a few rolls, he is at the other end already..... like this....


He has also started making different noises...more vowels......dadadada...gagagaga...oooooo... and it's just within these 2 days that he started talking "differently". Also, he has this habit of talking to me while he is eating as well. So, food flies everywhere from his mouth.....Need to increase his bowl of solids, as not everything goes into his little tummy.....

Breastfeeding

yup yup yup....Kenneth is turning 6 months soon, and I am still breastfeeding..... and still pumping out the milk, to maintain supply...:) I reckon I will continue breastfeeding, as it seems easier than transitioning him to formula....and it saves a lot!!! of work and money:)

And these days, I do not throw away the milk anymore:) I pump it out early in the morning, before I make breakfast, and use it for Rachel's Hot Chocolate. and then, the rest of it, I keep for Kenneth's solids:)

I have tried asking Rachel whether she wants to drink my breastmilk, and she has very vehemently said NO!!!! So, I have resorted to making her Hot Chocolate with my breastmilk quietly....and you know what...I think she finishes her Hot Chocolate easier. Maybe coz the milk is lighter, and easier to digest!!! And now that hubby knows I secretly put my breastmilk into Rachel's Hot Chocolate....hmmmm....maybe that's why he is drinking his coffee black now....

Dusty and Sandy

From Tuesday till now (Saturday), visibility has been really bad, as it's really sandy and dusty. It gets worse at night, and I can hear the woooooooooo wind sound outside. And I can barely see beyond 2 buildings in front of our building.

It is hot, and it is sandy, so not suitable to take the kids anywhere other than shopping malls. So, daddy took us for a ride down to the south of Kuwait, Ahmadi, where he works.

Dusty and poor visibility outside....

Dusty and Sandy Ahmadi...

Then, on Saturday, we took the coastal road when we left Sharq Souq, on the way home....The round globe towers is the Kuwait towers...

Alas....a car...

We finally got a car. Daddy came home with the car on Thursday, and Rachel was ecstatic, as it's a "BIG BIG CAR" with "ONE SEAT ONE SEAT oneeee"....:) Daddy got a Pajero!!!
When he came home, he took Rachel downstairs to see the car, and to put her car seat in it. She was so excited. And on Friday and Saturday, we went out in the car, and believe me, life is so much better than when we were taking the cab!!!!:)

Outing on Saturday:

Rachel waiting in the lobby for Daddy to start the car (and switch on the aircond) before we jumped in.... I guess we sort of got used to the heat. It was around 41deg when we went out at 10am this morning, and when we came home at 1.00pm, it was around 48 deg already....

We went to Sharq Souq for lunch, and bought Kenneth's car seat from Mothercare. Gosh, I need the car seat for him, since we take longer drives compared to the cab rides... And of course, for safety purposes....

Kenneth and Rachel in their respective car seats....So happy!!!!

Rachel proudly showing off the car:)

Life in Kuwait is not easy without a car...

Well, at the moment, it's just daddy driving the car. I can't drive yet, as I will have to take my driving test. But before I can do that, we will have to wait till Rachel starts school.... Women can't drive unless she has a job, or schooling kids!!!! Odd....but this is Kuwait....

Rachel's drawings....

These are her drawings...using the Aqua drawing pad that my sis, her May Yee bought for her!!! I would recommend this highly, as it saves papers, and also, less mess for me!!!!

A balloon flying high in the sky......

A cat....

The cat with another cat friend...

A flower.... I thought it was a rambutan...

Rachel trying to write her name...

A girl...

A butterfly flying high....

Kenneth with his food

He is doing ok with his solids... I hope I did not jinx that by saying it aloud!!!!!!

Anyway, he is back to 2 meals a day after his bout of diarrhea. Brunch will be pureed vege/fruits with oatmeal and rice cereal, with plain water. Then, dinner will be oatmeal/rice cereal with breastmilk, with plain water as drink.

In between these 2 meals, he latches on at least 7-8 times on my breast.




We have also started him on rusks. I think I will start buying rice crackers instead. The organic ones with no salt added. Rachel had those when she was at this age. But it was so easy to find those in UK. Will have to scout for them here....

I am tired

Man, am I tired..... I am barely coping with housework and 2 kids without a maid. I wonder how people cope with 3 kids without a maid!!!! So, to all our friends who are expecting the 3rd one, or planning for a 3rd one, or already have a 3rd one.... I do salute you, and I wonder whether I will be able to have your level of energy to plan for my 3rd one!!!!!

My days start at 4.45am in the morning (after at least a night feed at 3am). Kenneth wakes up THAT early....latch on for awhile...and then he will snooze for around half an hour more, before he starts "talking" and turning in his cot. Meanwhile, I will wash and sterilize the breastpump and his spoons and plates for the day... Then, I try to snooze a bit, while he talks to himself....so loud until he wakes up his daddy who's sleeping in another room. Rachel is oblivious to all these....as long as I am still in bed with her. She has this sensor that the moment I leave the bed...she will wake up. I really wonder when I can sleep on my own bed!!!! It's backbreaking when she tosses so much in bed...and kicks me!!!!

Morning really starts at 6am, when I prepare breakfast for the bigger babies. Pump out my breast milk.... and then have some brekkie myself.

At 7.45am, Kenneth will start making noise. Latch on awhile....and will be off to lala land for an hour. And in that hour, I will be running round the house like a mad lady, trying to finish off the household chores while he is sleeping!!!!

By 10.30am every morning, I will already have a back ache.... and to think... I have another 12 more hours to go, before I can crash .....

It's 12pm now...and I am tired.....